
tained the promise? Relate the story of the giving of the promise.
Heb. 6:15; Gen. 15:1-6.
NOTE.—"In a vision of the night the divine voice was again heard. 'Fear
not, Abram,' were the words of the Prince of princes; 'I am thy shield, and
thy exceeding great reward.' But his mind was so oppressed by forebodings
that he could not now grasp the promise with unquestioning confidence as
heretofore. He prayed for some tangible evidence that it would be fulfilled.
And how was the covenant promise to be realized, while the gift of a son was
withheld? 'What wilt thou give me,' he said, 'seeing I go childless?"And, lo,
one born in my house is 'mine heir.' He proposed to make his trusty servant
Eliezer his son by adoption, and the inheritor of his possessions. But he was
assured that a child of his own was to be his heir. Then he was led outside
his tent, and told to look up to the unnumbered stars glittering in the heavens;
and as he did so, the words were spoken, 'So shall thy seed be."Abraham be-
lieved God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.' Rom. 4:3."—
Patriarchs and Prophets,
pages 136, 137.
8.
What question did Abraham ask God with reference to the
promise that his seed should be as numerous as the. stars? Gen. 15:8.
NOTE.—Abraham was then past seventy-five years of age, and his wife ten
years younger. Under these conditions he wanted additional assurance from
God concerning the promise of an heir. God condescended to give it to him.
9.
What did God tell Abraham to do? Gen. 15:9-16.
NOTE.—"By divine direction, Abraham sacrificed a heifer, a she-goat, and
a ram, each three years old, dividing the bodies, and laying the pieces a littlq
distance apart. To these he added a turtledove and a young pigeon, which,
however, were not divided. This being done, he reverently passed between the
parts of the sacrifice, making a solemn vow to God of perpetual obedience.
Watchful and steadfast, he remained beside the carcasses till the going down
of the sun, to guard them from being defiled or devoured by birds of prey.
About sunset he sank into a deep sleep; and, `lo, a horror of great darkness fell
upon him.' And the voice of God was heard, bidding him not to .expect im-
mediate possession of the Promised Land, and pointing forward to the suffer-
ings of his posterity before their establishment in Canaan. The plan of re-
demption was here opened to him, in the death of Christ, the great Sacrifice,
and His coming in glory. Abraham saw also the earth restored- to its Eden
beauty, to be given him for an everlasting possession, as the final and com-
plete fulfillment of the
promise."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 137.
10.
What occurred at night? Gen 15:17.
NOTE.—"As a pledge of this covenant of God with men, a smoking furnace
and a burning lamp, symbols of the divine presence, passed between the severed
victims, totally consuming them. And again a voice was heard by Abraham,
confirming the gift of the land of Canaan to his descendants, 'from the river
of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.'
"—Patriarchs and Proph-
ets,
page 137.
11.
How did Abraham and Sarah feel when after many years
[ 30 ]